Who’s Winning the Global Recycling Olympics?
This summer is packed with major sporting events, with both the Euros and the Olympics taking centre stage. Fans around the world will be tuning in for a season filled with intense matches and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s the excitement of football, Tennis or the Olympics, there’s plenty to keep sports enthusiasts entertained in the coming months.
Amid the BBQs and flag-waving, we couldn’t help but wonder: what happens to all that celebratory waste? A study by Eunomia has compared the recycling rates of countries around the world. So, in the spirit of friendly competition, we’re handing out medals for recycling and investigating how they’ve won the top spots. Let the Green Games begin!
Austria (59% recycling rate)
Austria tops our list with the best recycling rate in the world. Landfill taxes, bans on certain materials, and significant investments have greatly improved waste management. Colour-coded bins are common, helping everyone sort their waste efficiently. Funded by a producer responsibility model, the system compels manufacturers to foot the bill for recycling their products.
Wales (59% recycling rate)
Wales might not have qualified for the Euros or have its own Olympic team, but it’s a recycling champ. Local councils, driven by strict targets, have reduced general waste collections to once a month in some areas. Wales’ recycling rate has now exceeded statutory requirements and is now looking to become net zero by 2050. Sometimes, being a small nation means you can make big changes!
Taiwan (53% recycling rate)
Taiwan’s transformation from “garbage island” to recycling paragon is a tale of necessity turned triumph. Faced with overflowing landfills and public outcry, Taiwan reinvented its waste management. Now, classical music-playing trucks signal residents to bring out their waste where volunteers and officials assist in proper sorting, creating a community event out of rubbish disposal.
Germany (52% recycling rate)
The host of this year’s euros is one of the EUs top recyclers. Since 2015, it’s been illegal to improperly separate waste. Fail to sort correctly, and your bin might sit on the curb as a public mark of shame. It doesn’t stop there. Germany has a bottle deposit scheme where customers pay an extra 8 to 15 cents, refunded when bottles are returned. Their influential “green dot” policy requires producers to cover the cost of recycling their products, encouraging minimal packaging. The scheme has since been adopted by many other countries.
Belgium (52% recycling rate)
Belgium has been committed to recycling since 1981, when it first set goals to reduce household waste. Exceeding initial targets, it continues to set ambitious new goals. Taxes on hard-to-process waste encourage sustainable choices. Plus, high landfill taxes have made landfills the least attractive for waste disposal, instead encouraging recycling and incineration as more affordable options. Belgium’s steady approach is less flashy but highly effective. The country’s long-term commitment and consistency is paying off.
Lessons for the UK
England ranks 11th in recycling, falling short of the top 5. Our recycling system is kept behind by confusion and inconsistent local policies. However, there’s a blueprint for improvement right in front of us, drawn by the world’s top recyclers.
Countries like Austria and Germany succeed because they have clear goals, financial incentives, and strong public education on recycling. They mandate separate collection for recyclables, set ambitious recycling targets, and hold producers accountable for waste management costs. Recycling success comes down to simple principles: make it easy, make it mandatory, and make it worth everyone’s while.
There is still hope. Starting in 2026, England will implement new regulations standardising separate collections for recyclables. This aims to streamline the recycling process and reduce confusion. It’s a significant step towards clarifying our recycling system. However, legislation alone isn’t enough. We need a cultural shift towards prioritising recycling, along with comprehensive public education campaigns to ensure everyone understands the new system.
By learning from top recycling nations and embracing these upcoming changes, England can boost its recycling rates and work its way into the top league of global recyclers. The future of our waste management depends on these critical steps, and with the right approach, we can transform our recycling landscape.
Sources:
Ajit Niranjan (2023) The zero waste city: what kiel in germany can teach the world
Alex Gray (2017) Germany recycles more than any other country
BBC News (2024) Wales second in the world for recycling rates
Eunomia (2024) Global Recycling league table
European environment agency (2022) Early warning assessment related to the 2025 targets for municipal waste and packaging waste
Lana Suhkman (2023) New EPR Obligations for online platforms in austria
Marcello Rossi (2019) How Taiwan has achieved one of the highest recycling rates in the world
Nikolaus Berlakovich (2013) Waste recycling in austria: analysis of success
resource.co (2024) Government published statutory instrument for simpler recycling
